Council & Governance
Today: Two Closely Watched Votes
City Council convenes at 10 a.m. today with two measures that advanced from committee earlier this month.
COPA Sanctuary Enforcement: The amendment giving COPA explicit authority to investigate alleged Welcoming City violations appears on track to pass. COPA Chief Administrator LaKenya White says her office is prepared to investigate 40 complaints filed since June involving CPD's interactions with federal immigration agents. The measure advanced from committee 19-3.
"It is not enough to be a welcoming city on paper," Mayor Johnson said before the vote.
Parking Scofflaw Pilot: Ald. Daniel La Spata's citizen enforcement measure would create a Street Operations Task Force targeting bus lane, bike lane, and crosswalk violations. Under the revised ordinance, only commercial vehicles would be eligible for citizen reports via 311. The dispatch system must be operational by December 31.
Plan Commission Thursday: Five Projects
The Chicago Plan Commission meets February 19 at 10 a.m. in Room 1103 at City Hall. Highlights:
- 1338 W. Lake (West Loop): 33-story, 321-unit tower with 64 affordable units
- 215 N. Racine (Fulton Market): 29-story, 347-unit tower with 70 affordable units
- 3611 N. Halsted (Northalsted): 10-story all-electric "Phoenix" building with geothermal heating
- 4432-4458 N. Clarendon (Uptown): Sarah's Circle proposes 54 supportive housing units for single women
Written feedback is accepted until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Lead
Federal Judge Blocks Prevention Funding Cuts
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's cuts to CDC grants for lead poisoning prevention, ensuring funding continues flowing to Illinois while the case plays out.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul sued last week over approximately $600 million in public health cuts that would have ended lead prevention grants to 25 local health departments statewide. "Trump is playing politics with critical public health funding," Raoul said.
The cuts targeted California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota—all states that have clashed with the administration on immigration policy.
Bikes
Northwest Side: New Greenways Proposed
CDOT is proposing a network of bike lanes and greenways for Jefferson Park and Portage Park in the 30th, 38th, and 45th wards.
Proposed greenways would run on Sunnyside, Berteau, Melvina, Menard, and Long avenues. New bike lanes are planned for Central, Laramie, and Montrose.
Public meeting: March 5, 6-7 p.m. at the Portage Park Senior Center (4150 N. Long Ave.). More information at chicago.gov/portagepark.
Grand Avenue: Coalition Still Pushing for Buses Over Bikes
The coalition of business owners opposing protected bike lanes on Grand Avenue Phase 2 (Damen to Ogden) continues to advocate for dedicated bus lanes instead. Phase 2 is expected to begin later this year.
Food
Bloom: Three Days Left
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen enters its final days in Wicker Park. The last day of service is Saturday, February 21. Chef Rodolfo Cuadros says the team plans to return with a new vegan concept.
Black Restaurant Week: Final Stretch
Chicago Black Restaurant Week runs through Sunday, February 22, with nearly 40 participating businesses offering fixed-price specials. The 11th-annual event honors Carter G. Woodson's founding of Negro History Week in Chicago exactly 100 years ago.
First-time participants include Strugglebeard Bakery and Mahari.
ADU Countdown: 42 Days
Chicago's citywide ADU ordinance takes effect April 1, 2026. The ordinance passed unanimously (46-0) in September 2025, more than doubling the area where ADUs may be built.
City Council meets today at 10 a.m. Plan Commission meets Thursday, February 19 at 10 a.m. in Room 1103 at City Hall.